by HK Savage
***
It was nearly lunch when we were ready to go on my first foray into Edinburgh. James announced he’d spent significant time here and would gladly serve as my tour guide. He said that he did need me to eat at a few places specifically during our stay so that he could write up something for his article. Other than that, it was up to me what we saw. Even more exciting than the prospect of seeing the new city and culture, I anticipated seeing it through the filter of his eyes.
“What do you think is an absolute must see?” I wanted to know.
Enjoying his post as my entertainment director, James held up a finger. “First has to be Edinburgh Castle. We will go over the bridge into Old Town and head to the castle for the afternoon. If you would like, there is a romantic restaurant I had intended to spotlight in my article. We can stop there for a bite after.”
That sounded great to me. Castles and romantic dinners were in keeping with my hopes for our time together while we were here. We took a taxi over to the castle and I was awed by its sheer size as I got out of the car. I had never seen a castle in real life and this one was in amazing shape. It wasn’t in ruins like the castles in pictures and postcards that I had seen from my Dad’s trip across southern Spain years ago. This castle was grey limestone that had withstood the centuries with only some darkening streaks to mark its age.
We walked inside and I felt my jaw drop. The interior was breathtaking in its opulence. My head swam as I wrapped my head around the sheer size and age of the castle and the artifacts held within its walls. My hands touched walls kings and queens had touched centuries before my country was even a thought. The oldest section, a twelfth century building called St. Margaret’s Chapel, was my favorite. James and I were the last to leave it. He watched me pass through, reading the plaques marking special sites and touching what I was allowed, smiling when I would make a new discovery. I spent the longest time of all in the chapel, even if it was the coldest.
We spent several hours at the castle and I realized when my stomach growled in the late afternoon, that I’d never had lunch. We strolled the Royal Mile and I got a coffee and pastry at the first café we crossed. There was so much to see and enjoy as we walked. I munched, taking it all in and enjoying my role as a tourist.
With my hands full and unable to clasp his, James had to put his arm around my back to keep me upright so I didn’t have a fainting spell. Despite the fact that we seemed to be compensating for my malady quite well and I certainly didn’t mind him touching me all the time, I couldn’t ignore the effects of the strain on him. James was no longer bouncing back like he usually did.
“If this is where your kind is based can’t you find somewhere to get something to eat?” I asked taking a nibble of pastry crust.
Stubbornly he shook his head. “If I go there to feed I have to announce our arrival formally and I don’t want to do that.”
“But you need to eat.” I didn’t understand his logic. “Who cares if they know we’re here. Don’t they anyway?”
Kissing my temple, he smiled. “An alarm doesn’t go off when one of us sets foot in the city.” My grouchy look warranted a smile. “Seriously, believe it or not we enjoy the same anonymity as anyone else.”
“But, I thought you could smell each other.”
James frowned and bobbed his head thoughtfully. “If someone who knows me crosses my scent or comes looking for me then yes, they will smell me.” Brightening, he winked. “But why bring that upon ourselves prematurely? I brought you here so that I could have you to myself, at least for a little while, and I’m not giving that up so easily.” His hand rubbed my back reassuringly. “I can make it one more day.”
I tried to believe him, looking past his pale features and the tired lines in his face, new since this morning, as we continued on our stroll through the ancient city’s newer quarter. Eventually, the city and being together cast its spell and, walking and talking, we watched the day change to evening. The architecture took on a different, more mysterious personality as it lit up for the night before us and our worries faded into the background.
Dinner was a romantic candlelit affair at a restaurant called The Witchery at the Castle. It was situated in the shadow of the castle as its name implied, granting it a cozy timelessness that enchanted me from the first glance of the faded stone walls and black painted wood trimwork on the outside. James had me describe each course to him in detail while he took notes. It made the tasting of each flavor more decadent, more sensual, to describe my reactions and sensations to every flavor and color. Though I was not as hungry as I should have been after such an active day, I enjoyed the tastes and experience.
I snuggled against him on the taxi ride home. My eyes barely stayed open as the effects of jet lag and a full day of walking caught up to me. He supported most of my weight on our way to the room, helped me into one of his t-shirts, my now preferred sleep attire, and into bed. I was sleeping before my head hit the pillow.